Table 1 Educational content of Gottman counseling sessions based on GATHER principles
Session | period of time | Content | Compliance with GATHER principles |
|---|---|---|---|
1st session | 45–60 min | Welcoming and communicating, introducing and introducing the counselor and clients to each other, explaining the details and goals of counseling sessions, asking open-ended questions in order to get information from couples and actively listening to their answers, giving an introduction to the Gottman method (7 principles Gottman), Familiarity with the theory of the sound relationship house, Familiarity with the unfortunate beginning and the 4 riders of destruction (criticism, insult and humiliation, defensive state and the formation of a stone wall), Determining the time of the next meeting | Greet Ask Tell Help Explain Return |
2st session | 45–60 min | Feedback from the previous session and Examining the problems, familiarizing the participants with the first principle of Gottman (Build love map), giving examples and exercises, determining the time of the next session | Greet Ask Tell Help Explain Return |
3st session | 45–60 min | Feedback from the previous session, the couple’s familiarity with Gottman’s second principle (Share fondness and admiration), emphasizing the positive impact of marital counseling, paying attention to the marital relationship history of shared memories) and the positive characteristics of the other party, neutralizing the 4 rider destruction with the system Interest and admiration, presentation of practice, scheduling of the next session | Greet Ask Tell Help Explain Return |
4st session | 45–60 min | Feedback from the previous session, familiarity with Gottman’s third principle (Turn toward instead of away), familiarity with the concept of emotional bank account, teaching soothing conversations for more intimacy, setting the time for the next session | Greet Ask Tell Help Explain Return |
5st session | 45–60 min | Feedback from the previous session, familiarity with Gottman’s fourth principle (the positive perspective), awkward initiation of conversations and outbursts of negative emotions, emphasis on accepting spouse influence and neutralizing the four riders, trying to correct behavior and express disagreement with respect, providing practice, Determine the time of the next meeting | Greet Ask Tell Help Explain Return |
6st session | 45–60 min | Feedback from the previous session, familiarity with Gottman’s fifth principle (manage conflict), the way to differentiate solvable problems from permanent problems, for example, the way to start gently in disputes, to determine the time of the next meeting | Greet Ask Tell Help Explain Return |
7st session | 45–60 min | Feedback from the previous session, familiarity with Gottman’s Sixth Principle (make life dreams come true), overcoming persistent disagreement with logical speech, emphasizing the expression of personal dreams, teaching the acceptance of unresolved disputes by example, setting the time for the next session | Greet Ask Tell Help Explain Return |
8st session | 45–60 min | Feedback from the previous session, acquaintance with the seventh principle of Gottman (create shared meaning), emphasizing the spiritual part of life and building a common culture, stating the remaining explanations provided and the necessary clarification, if necessary, refer to a psychologist | Greet Ask Tell Help Explain Return |